Pura Luhur Batukaru Tabanan Bali

Pura Luhur Watukaru located at the foot of the forest area Gung Watukaru, in the village of Wangaya Gede Penebel Tabanan district. Temple can be reached from Denpasar city about 42 kilometers towards the north. With the road conditions are very good so it is very easy to reach by transportation

Pura Luhur Batukaru, a unique sacred mountain sanctuary and royal temple of Tabanan dynasty, built to venerate deities of mountains and lake. Based on the scripture, the temple was founded in 11th century by Empu Kuturan, a great Hindu sage who established six main temple of Bali. At that time, this temple was a sanctuary for hermits. In 1604, the temple was attacked and partially destroyed by the king of Buleleng, Anglurah Panji Sakti, but his troops were beaten back by millions of bees unleashed by the protective spirit of the temple. Pura Luhur Batukaru was not rebuilt until 1959, even though pilgrims had continued to worship in rubble.

The Pura Luhur Batukaru lies in solitary clearing 1,300 m above the sea level, set amidst a garden of flowering frangipani and hibiscus, with a gigantic, inhabited, humid tropical forest all around it. The site is often cool and has highest rainfall on Bali. the temple complex consists of a main enclosure to the north and two smaller complexes tucked away in the forest. Within the complex are a number of symbolically distinct shrines, each representing a different Tabanan dynasty. Due to the cool climate and high rainfall, the shrines in this temple are covered by moss. The Pura Luhur is also known as Pura Taman that means it has a bathing place and maintained by a king. The most magnificent shrine in this temple is seven-tiered meru, dedicated to the God Mahadewa who presides over mount Batukaru.

The three elements temple area of Watukaru or Batukaru is equal to other temples in Bali generally which is consisted of outside area (Nista Mandala), Middle area (Madya mandala) and Center area (Utama Mandala). After refurbishing three temples are of this temple in some years ago, the element conception and structure of these three temple areas are progressively become everlasting and conceptual. This is especially in outside area where we can meet the existence of Wantilan building (Meeting Hall) which can be used for multifunction and it is located on the right of the entrance gate. The refurbishment at the parking area has made easy for the Hindu society or all tourists who pay a visit to this temple. It is also other public facilities like toilet which is located at outside temple area or the left side of entrance gate is in good condition and cleans enough.

The temple festival at Luwur Watukaru or Batukaru Temple is executed every six-month or 210 days which is every Thursday Umanis Wara Dungulan (Balinese Calendar), just the day after Galungan Day (the biggest Balinese Hindu Holidays). The extension day of temple festival is executed during eleven day, to give the opportunity for Hindu public society especially in Bali to come for praying. Pengempon (the society who take care of the temple) has the obligation to take care of the temple inclusive of ceremony execution. This fact is one of characteristic power outside of physical of Watu Karu Temple. The temple anniversary falls on Manis Galungan, a day after Galungan holyday. On that day thousand of pilgrims from all over the island will flock to the temple to pay homage to the deities in this sacred temple.